A few tips for replacing bad habits with good ones

We all have bad habits. We eat a lot of sweets, become dependent on social networks, spend too much money on shopping, etc. A habit is a learned action which has developed over time into the behaviour pattern. Habits can be helpful and harmful.

How to get rid of bad habits
Dealing with a bad habit is an unpromising task. So don’t struggle with it; try forming a new one. Think of what it will cost to get rid of a habit and which of them ruin your life? Your plan should begin with the defining personal awards for leading a healthy lifestyle. Then continue to work with motivation and form new habits. The success of getting rid of any obsession depends on the amount of effort you put in it.
Here are six sequential steps to quit all the unwanted habits.

1) Motivation
Find the right motivation. Be aware of the consequences of your bad habits. Find a good reason to get rid of them and write it down on paper.
For example, everyone knows that alcohol destroys brain cells. Do you want your brain to work properly? If you do, then it would be wiser to protect the body from the harmful effects of alcohol. Reward yourself for giving up drinking. Buy yourself a little present every week or two to celebrate your success.

2) Limit the negative stimuli
Identify the triggers that affect your bad habit. Learn to feel the moment when a negative stimulus occurs. Ask yourself, which situations lead to undesirable actions. Maybe you want to eat a couple of biscuits when you’re upset. Avoid such provoking situations.
Prepare a few motivating phrases. For example, “If I see a pastry shop, I’ll go to the other side of the street.” Your brain will know what to do in case of a sudden desire to unwanted temptation.

3) Get distracted
In order not to break in a new rush, hold back for a while. Watch for changes in your desire. Gradually it will weaken. Get distracted to shift your attention. Do breathing exercises, take a walk, have a drink of water.

4) Do it gradually
Divide the habit into parts and get rid of them one by one. The smaller task means more chances to complete it. And the result will be more visible. Make your subtask small, but stable, then try to complicate it. The chance of quitting the habit will increase. Follow the intended targets without excuses and exceptions. Don’t be a victim of your weaknesses.

5) Be patient
Get ready for the long haul. Tell others about your intentions; you need their support to keep going. Turn your friends into allies. It’s always easier to deal with bad habits together.
Make commitments and stand your ground. If you feel that you’re about to break, say to yourself: “Well, I’ll do it, but tomorrow.” Repeat this phrase the next day. That way you’ll postpone your desires for a while and win some time to develop a new habit. Soon the bad ones will disappear.

6) Learn from your mistakes
Everyone has the right to make a mistake. There is always a possibility of going back to old habits. Get ready for such situations in advance. Do not give up and keep doing what you did.
One wrong step back doesn’t mean that you have turned off the road. Accept this and think about what you can do to prevent this from happening next time.
Every day spent on improving yourself will make you better. In any case, all the good habits that you have already acquired (such as doing exercises) can’t disappear permanently. You can get them back anytime.

Forget the bad habits and develop good ones
You just need to start. Keep following these steps for at least three weeks. Soon doing it will become much easier. Find yourself a motivation and a new source of positive emotions. Let your new habits become a way of life and a part of you. Believe in your power to change.

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